If I Return Safely, Grant Me One Wish
"...So Cain fell, and Lucius followed him to Pandemonium. That's what you're saying?"
"...Yeah."
"Haa... This is driving me insane, for real."
"I get that."
"Rian, can you just shut up for a bit? I'm hyping myself up, drumming, cymbal-crashing all by myself here. What the hell is this...?"
"Sorry..."
Honestly, Rowen was just as disoriented. If he lost Cain too, Miyabi's heart might shatter completely. Karin could hold her together, but she was still too young. Lucius probably hadn't won Miyabi over yet anyway. And above all, he'd chased after Cain straight to Pandemonium.
He wanted to check on Miyabi right now, but...
"A delegation's coming?"
"Yeah. This letter says a delegation from Kalia Rune is on their way."
Rowen showed Mio the letter. She snatched it lightly and started reading. It was written in Rune script, so she could decipher it easily enough. Arahan hailed from Kalia Rune, Rowen had inherited the Spirit King's power, and Mio was a grand mage who'd spent a millennium honing her craft—a hero of magic, no less. There was no way she couldn't read Kalia Rune's script.
"Did Lucius send this before heading to Pandemonium?"
"Nah, doesn't seem like it. No mention of him requesting it anywhere. Probably just coincides with us fighting demons and whatever's going on over there."
"...Hmm."
"Mio, I know it's shameless. But just this once—please go to Pandemonium."
Mio couldn't easily refuse Rowen's plea. She hated being apart from him, but the situation was dire. She wasn't so dense as to miss that. And then she remembered the comrade still stuck in Pandemonium.
'I'd forgotten...!'
She needed clues to undo her two disciples' corruption. She'd gotten dragged into a demon summoning ritual and ended up in Pandemonium, fighting alongside Uba. When she got tired, he'd slaughter demons in her stead. The muscle-headed idiot who only believed in his biceps and some higher power was still a reliable ally. And she'd completely forgotten that Uba Kaliarun was stranded there alone.
'Why?'
How could she forget something so crucial? Ah... looking at the man before her, she understood. Meeting her beloved after a thousand years had blinded her to everything else. Well, Uba was probably fine. No need to worry. The monster who'd casually crushed a Four Heavenly Kings' skull with one hand was no pushover. In the remotest possibility, he might've already gotten oracles from Kalia Rune and the other gods to rescue Lucius. Uba had been the one guarding her when she awoke in Pandemonium. So no real cause for alarm. She trusted that muscle-brained moron. They'd known each other too long not to.
Mio let out a deep sigh.
"Fine..."
"Phew. Thanks a ton."
"You get so touchy whenever Cain comes up. Brothers in the end, huh?"
"Don't say shit I don't wanna hear. Mio, you picking a fight with me?"
"...Who's talking to who right now? Rian, you think I just sat around doing nothing for a thousand years?"
"...Sorry."
Gulp.
Mio was smiling, but her eyes weren't. Rowen held his breath and swallowed under the murderous vibe. Arahan ground her teeth at Mio's glare.
"...Who do you think you're glaring at in front of the young master?"
"Arahan, Rian's clearly in the wrong here."
"Hmph. Think that'll make him love you?"
"...Uba's disciple, my ass...!"
Arahan's intervention heated things up. Rowen escaped Mio's glare, but the situation wasn't exactly pleasant. They were fighting over him, after all. He flicked both their foreheads lightly.
Thwack!
"Ow!"
"Eek...!"
"Cut it out, both of you. You know we don't have time for this."
"...Sorry, young master. But that woman's the problem! That glare of hers...!"
"Rian, you really think keeping her around is smart? I could make you happier."
"...I said cut it out."
Haa... His sighs were getting heavier. Being around these two shaved years off his life. Was this what they called energy drain? Rowen turned to Arahan. She was rubbing the spot his fist had hit with both hands. Pitiful? Cute? The usually domineering woman seemed a bit adorable. Feeling he'd hit too hard, he rubbed the spot gently as a light apology.
"...Heehee."
"That hurt?"
"Yes. It hurt a lot. So... stay like this a bit longer?"
"...No."
"Young master!"
"You're not hurting at all, are you?"
"When a lady says it hurts, you pretend not to notice and stroke her anyway. That's etiquette."
"Sorry. Never learned manners, even in my past life."
Rowen chuckled mischievously and ruffled Arahan's hair wildly. She didn't seem to mind—in fact, her ears flushed as she grinned goofily. He shifted his gaze. Mio, watching jealously from close by, whipped her head away.
"Want a pat too?"
"You're trash. How do you do that in front of a girl who likes you?"
"...Uh."
"Pfft! What're you, an idiot?"
Mio wiggled her fingers at him, staring. Time was short. She'd have to head to Pandemonium now to catch up with Lucius. So before parting, she made one request.
"Rian, can I ask a favor?"
"Hm? Dunno what it is, but shoot."
"I think I'll be back quick..."
"Yeah."
"So... if I come back safe, grant me one wish."
"One wish?"
Rowen tilted his head. Why did that sound so ominous? Just the word "wish" put him on guard. Mio shook her head vigorously at his suspicious look.
"It's not suspicious at all! More importantly, Rian—you in a position to refuse me?"
"Ngh..."
"Pay for trampling a girl's heart."
"Girl? You're over a thousand, you old ha—"
"Hehe. Getting hot, Rian? Wanna chill for a sec?"
"...Nothing."
Mio pressed her index finger to Rowen's lips like it was no big deal, then flashed an innocent smile. That beautiful grin from a thousand years ago. Paired with her enchanting beauty, it mesmerized him. How many times had that smile healed him in his past life?
"Mio..."
"So you'll grant it, right?"
"Can't say no. Just come back safe."
"Who do you think I am? The great mage! I won't go down easy."
"True. Our party's top firepower, right?"
"Hehe."
With that, Mio casually opened a gate to a bookmark she'd set before. Massive Rune script swirled around her, wrapping her up. Her expression was a touch sad. She really hated leaving Rowen. They'd only had two years together after a millennium apart. But it wasn't forever—no need for excessive worry. For now, she just had to figure out how to save his brother and her disciples. Above all, the young emperor—no, Kadan's son, guardian on the path of exorcism. She had to rescue Lucius.
"...See you."
"Be careful."
"Get lost."
Arahan sniping her to the end. Mio didn't like it, but she smiled anyway. Hate the player, not the game—or something. She couldn't hate Arahan, Uba's disciple. Rowen flicked Arahan's forehead again at her barbs.
"Hey, Arahan."
"Young master, I said nothing."
"You think I don't know you're full of it?"
"...Tch."
Mio gripped her staff, watching. "Haha..." Her vision faded. The world sliced open, pulling her into the dimensional rift between subspaces. And then...
Rumble...!
Red lightning scorched the earth. She'd set foot in Pandemonium.
*
A massive sail emblazoned with black-and-white yin-yang caught his eye. Amid a sea gripped by chill, waves crashing fiercely in the northern storm waters. Bursting through was none other than the enormous ship carrying Kalia Rune's delegation. Urgent circumstances demanded full power to smash through the ice.
A golden bridge formed of holy power extended, and a woman with long brown hair stepped down. High-ranking exorcists followed in formation behind her.
"It's been a while. I missed this cold air."
Rowen caught her muttering something. He rose and went to greet them. Even from another continent, they were allies now, here to join hands. As king, he couldn't just send lackeys—he headed to the harbor from his throne.
In the port city, crowds stared at the Kalia Rune delegation, while the exorcists waved and smiled warmly. The brown-haired woman eyed the man with ash-gray and pure-white mixed hair. He gazed back at her, his dual-colored locks whipping in the wind. Behind him, the northern knights—the Frost Knight Order—lined up to welcome Kalia Rune's group.
"No need for formalities, bastard."
"Same here. You sent the letter, right? Sirayunsul."
"Yeah. Honestly, surprised. You're his son, but you don't look a thing like him. Take after your mom?"
"Hell if I know who I take after. Never seen my parents' faces."
"Huh? Oh... your mom. Whatever. Not important now."
Sirayunsul approached, and Rowen stood beside her. No handshake. More pressing matters first. Deciding future plans, what needed doing. Crucial stuff.
"You know the situation, I trust."
"Details weren't in the letter."
Sirayunsul asked at Rowen's reply, hand on hip, glaring down at him. He read her intent instantly. Her outfit caught his eye too—eastern style accentuating her figure, side slits and thigh-high cuts exposing skin. Practical: cover what's vital, bare what's not. Some might call it shameless. Arahan's glare at Sirayunsul was terrifying, eyes sunken in jealous madness.
'Another woman...'
Why did they flock to Rowen? And it was Sirayunsul, branch leader of the exorcist division she'd once served. Well, she wouldn't lay a hand on him. That much was certain. Still, Arahan's unease gnawed at him. He patted her head gently to calm her, then answered Sirayunsul.
"Nah, I get it plenty. Basically, that fucker Cain fucked everything up, right?"
"Puhahaha! Heard you two don't get along, but damn, this bad? Yeah, spot on. The Demonic Seed we were suppressing in Cain bloomed."
"And the cause is the demon cult, yeah."
Specifically, greed. Not the corruption cult ruling Arkanthia, but servants of the King of Greed, holed up in Pandemonium with lesser demons. They'd targeted Cain and lured Lucius there.
"No sense keeping you in the cold."
As Rowen's words ended, the Frost Knights parted the way. Precise movements formed a long path to the castle gates. Swords raised, shields guarding. Northern-born, but trained by Arahan in Kalia Rune's will. Honorary blood brothers, in a sense. A derivative group, sure, but they carried Kalia Rune's spirit.
"Kingly vibe suits you."
"I'll take the compliment."
"...You've been fidgety. Looking for someone?"
"...Where are Mother and Karin?"
"Don't worry. Biden'll bring 'em tomorrow."
"Mother's okay?"
"You think? She was a mess, bawling nonstop. Sigh. If I'd killed that bastard Cain myself, I might not even be here."
"...Haha."
Still, somewhat good news. Family reunion soon. Thus, Kalia Rune's delegation entered Winterer, stepping into the capital Snowfall. They headed to lodgings and Valenos Castle. Soon after, the alliance gathered in a circle before the Ice Throne.
A high exorcist beside Sirayunsul chanted a brief incantation. A vow to uphold promises, judgment for breaking them—offered to Kalia Rune. All nodded.
"Do all here swear to form this alliance?"
"I swear."
"Swear."
Rowen and Sirayunsul spoke as representatives. After the light oath, she grumbled.
"Fuck. We ain't got time for this shit?"
"...But branch leader, it's Kalia Rune's rule."
"I know. Who doesn't? But read the room—we're on the clock, every second counts?"
"...Still!"
Rowen raised a hand to stop their bickering.
"...What, bastard?"
"Don't get pissy. I hate wasting time on rules too, but your fighting wastes more."
Even without it, he could bypass. Ask 'him'—break no vows, skip no rules. He matched Kalia Rune's stature, right beside Rowen.
"Favor?"
Humm...!
The air shivered. Mana purity spiked at his words.
"...What the?"
"Heard of the great Valenos?"
The north's god. Valenos clan ancestor, Spirit King ruling the spirit realm. Summoned to the mortal plane by Rowen's word.
"Using me here? Rowen, what the hell are you thinking?"
"You're buddies with Kalia Rune anyway. Hook me up."
"Tch. Not thrilled, but I'll pass it along."
"Thanks."
"I'm your ancestor, y'know."
"Apology for kicking me back then counts as interest."
"...Fair enough."
Sirayunsul and the delegation gawked. Not just surprise—utter shock. A mere human commanding a god? Impossible, unless a hero blessed by angels with equal "rank." Rowen smirked smugly. The meeting hall turned chaotic in seconds. He savored it and spoke.
"Alright, let's start the meeting."